Strap-connection



(No Model.)

@ef o C. J. LUCE.'

STRAP eoNNBeTIoN.

Patented Dec. 18, 1888.

@MLM/Leona,

N. PETERS Photwimgnphor, walhngwn. D. C.

@Mu/W 5. Lux/e4 @313| blozmeu UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES J. LUCE, OF NIANTIC, CONNECTICUT.

STRAP-CONNECTION.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 394,780, dated December 18, 1888.

Application filed May ll, 1888. Serial No. 273,589. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CHARLES J. LUCE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Niantic, in the county of New London and State 0f Connecticut, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Strap-Connections, which improvement is fully set forth and described in the following specification, reference being had to the accompanying sheet of drawings, in which- Figure l is a face view of a portion of a strap having my new form of connection attached thereto, and Fig. 2 is an edge view of the same. Fig. 3 is an edge view of said device with the locking parts in longitudinal section; and Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. l, but with the clamping-ferrule c partially cut away. In Fig. 5 I have shown my invention as applied to connect the trace and shoulderstrap of a light harness.

This invention has for its object the provision of a cheap, strong, and quicl zly-adjust able device for connecting the contiguous ends of straps. Said device is particularly applicable to various parts of harness-as, for example, the shoulder-strap that supports the so-called traces, and the hip-strap that supports the breeching. Then buckles of ordinary construction are used to make these specified harness connections, much annoyance is experienced by the catching of the reins on or under such buckles, and under the projecting' ends of the straps, all of which is avoided when connections of my new form are substituted for such buckles.l

Referring' to the drawings, the letter a indicates a strap end; b, a bar of metal, and c a ferrule or box-loop inclosing the overlapping ends of said bar and strap. That portion of the bar b that overlaps the strap end is liattened and of about the same width as said strap, and is provided with one or more projecting spurs or barbs, d, that are preferably formed by punching through a portion of said flattened bar, as at d in the drawings.

The strap a is not provided with a series of holes, (as when a tongued buckle is used;) but when it is desired to connect said strap with bar l) said parts are brought together with. spurs d engaging the strap, in which position they are held while said spurs are driven or otherwise forced into said strap. During this operation the ferrule o is loose on the strap above the overlapping ends of said strap and bar. To retain said bar and strap in engagement, this ferule is drawn down over said connected parts, and should t so tightly that it cannot be displaced by accident.

lVhen it is desired to adjust my device to lengthen or shorten the strap, the ferrule c is drawn off from the connected parts of ystrap and bar, the said parts are separated and adjusted on each other to the new position, and the spurs d again pressed into the leather strap. The spurs (l should be formed at regular distances on bar l), so that when said bar is adjusted on the strap said spurs are advanced one or more holes, instead of making an entire new series of perforations in said strap. The opposite end of bar b is made of a shape convenient to attach to the end or side of a strap by sewing or riveting. Said bar is here shown as formed with a ring, e, which in Fig. 5 is attached by a rivet, f, to the breast-collar strap h. The connection thus formed offers no projecting parts to catch the reins, and is believed to be more serviceable than the ordinary buckle-fastening.

The ferrules c may be electroplated or impressed with ornamental designs, and blackened to imitate the leather box-loops commonly provided in harness to receive the projecting ends of the severalstraps.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and wish to secure by Letters Patent A strap-connection for harness, consisting of the following elements, in combination: breast-collar strap 7i, a bar adapted to be secured to said strap and having its free end punched to provide projecting spurs, as set forth, a strap adapted to overlap said free end, and a ferrule adapted to slide over and clamp together said strap and bar, all substantially as and for the purpose specified.

CHARLES J. LUCE. Witnesses:

M. W. CoMsTocK, L. C. CoMsTocK. 

